The Enemies of Israel

 Temple Baptist Church - 7-20-2025

Psalm 83

 

Introduction:

 

A.  The Psalm discussed here speaks not only about the present but also offers prophetic insights regarding the last days. Throughout history, the Nation of Israel has faced intense hatred and persecution. From its inception in Egypt, the Israelites endured harsh treatment from the descendants of Ham. In response to their suffering, God sent Moses to free the Nation of Israel and lead them to the Promised Land, Canaan.

 

B.  Canaan, which was designated for Abraham through what is known as the Land Covenant, is a territory given to Israel. This land extends from the great Euphrates River in the north, which Abraham crossed to enter the land of Canaan, to the Nile River in Egypt. It was promised to the Jewish nation as their eternal homeland.

 

C.  In contemporary times, most of the Promised Land is inhabited by Arabic people, perpetual enemies of Israel.  The enemies of Israel are situated to the south and west in Egypt, to the north in Lebanon and Syria, to the east in Jordan, and to the west in Gaza, all surrounding what we refer to as Israel today. Ishmael and Esau now encircle this small nation.

 

D.  Israel spans just 290 miles in length—approximately the distance from here to Myrtle Beach—and 85 miles at its widest point, comparable to the distance from here to Asheville. At its narrowest point, it measures only 9 miles wide, which is less than half the width of Laurens County.

 

E.  How can a country this small stir up such hatred and animosity in the entire world?  The answer to this question is easy and yet profound.  Israel, as a nation, BELONGS TO GOD!  Therefore, the problem of hatred stems from a hatred of God!  Satan has always tried his best to destroy anything that God owns and loves, beginning in the Garden of Eden in Genesis 3, and Israel is the Apple of God’s eye, God’s Elect nation!

 

F.  I have never seen so much antisemitism!  Jews are and have been hated in every nation on earth.

 

G.   America is no exception.  We see in the news the Jew haters who openly curse the Jewish nation.  The bible says, “Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:  (2)  And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:  (3)  And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.”  (Genesis 12:1-3)

 

H.  I will make this simple: to hate Israel is to hate God and be cursed by God.  To love Israel is to love God and be blessed by God!  I have never met a true believer who hated Israel.  No apologies here!

 

J.  A long introduction, but a necessary one.  Now, to break down this Psalm into its parts.  I want to primarily use an outline by Dr. Tom Wallace, which provides a great breakdown of the psalm. 

 

1.  Verses 1-2.  The Cry of Israel.

 

a.  Verse 1.  The silences of God. 

 

a.  There are times when God seems not to hear or not to care, and there will be more such times. Bro. Jim Pennington used to sing “Heaven’s Telephone.” “Central’s never busy, always on the line; you may hear from heaven almost anytime.” Notice the words “almost anytime.” There will be times when God is intentionally silent!  He has a purpose in the silent times.  Just trust in the Lord with all your heart.

 

b.  There will be a time, long to us but a moment with God.  In this psalm, it seemed as if the heavens were made of brass, and God chose not to answer the prayers of His people. One of the hardest lessons to learn here on earth is understanding God’s will, God’s way, and God’s timing.  God does hear, God does care, and God will show up in His time, which will always be the right time.

 

b.  Verse 2.  The necessity of Intervention.  A question asked and an answer needed.  Surrounded by the enemies of God, who seemingly do as they please.  A cry for help!

 

2.  Verse 3.  The Conspiracy of the Enemy.  They hated the righteous and right while plotting confusion and strife.  Their objective was to destroy Israel, the people of God.

 

3.  Verses 4-5.  The Consultation of Evil Forces. 

 

a.  Perpetual – To continue for as long as it takes.

 

b.  Purpose – The total annihilation of Israel.

 

c.  Present – To destroy Israel now!

 

4.  Verses 6-8.  The Conglomerate of the Enemy.

 

a.  Past.  Edom, Ishmalites, Moabites, Hagerines, Gebel, Ammonites, Amaklites, Philistines, Tyre, Assur, the children of Lot.

 

b.  Present.  Iraq, Iran, and their proxies,  Turkey, Lebanon, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Russia, China, North Korea, etc.

 

5.  Verses 9-12.  The Comparison of the Enemies.

 

a.  You destroyed their Powers.  Great nations that hated Israel were destroyed.

 

b.  You destroyed their Princes.  Great princes who hated Israel were destroyed.

 

6.  Verses 13-16.  The Condemnation of the Enemies.

 

a.  Let them be like a wheel that rolls downward to destruction

 

b.  Let them be as the stubble of the field after harvest, whose end is to rot there.

 

c.  Let them be as wood destroyed by fire and brought to ashes.

 

d.  Let them be as helpless as a people in a storm.  Helene!

 

7.  Verses 17-18.  The Confusion of the Enemies.

 

a.  Bring them to confusion and shame in defeat.  No weapon formed against Israel will prosper nor be allowed to destroy God’s people.

 

b.  Let them know that there is still a God in heaven who watches over and protects His people from all enemies.

 

I want to say tonight that I love and pray for the Nation of Israel.  No apology!  Also, I pray that our great nation will continue to be a friend to the Nation of Israel!